Developing a Multi-Dimensional Early Elementary Mathematics Screener and Diagnostic Tool: The Primary Mathematics...

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Mathematics Education
• Learning Sciences

Background:

• Early identification of primary students struggling with mathematics is crucial for timely intervention.
• Existing math screeners often lack comprehensive domain coverage, focusing narrowly on number concepts.
• Inadequate screening data hinders teachers' ability to design effective, targeted remediation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel web-based assessment tool, the Primary Math Assessment (PMA).
• To describe the conceptual framework and psychometric properties of the PMA.
• To provide a tool for identifying at-risk students and detailing their specific math strengths and weaknesses.

Main Methods:

• Development of a web-based assessment tool covering six key mathematical domains.
• Inclusion of a screener to identify students at risk for math difficulties.
• Integration of a diagnostic component for in-depth analysis of student performance.

Main Results:

• The PMA provides a comprehensive screening and diagnostic profile across six essential math domains.
• The tool is designed to offer more targeted analyses than traditional, number-focused assessments.
• Psychometric qualities of the PMA were evaluated to ensure reliability and validity.

Conclusions:

• The Primary Math Assessment (PMA) offers a more complete picture of early math skills.
• It empowers educators with detailed diagnostic information for informed instructional decisions.
• The PMA facilitates targeted interventions to address specific student deficits in foundational mathematics.